Theegala builds momentum as Gotterup wins Sony Open

Sahith Theegala’s T-31 finish at the Sony Open provided a steady platform to begin his season, with the Indian-American closing the week with a composed 2-under 68 at Waialae Country Club.

Theegala totaled 6-under 274, building momentum over the weekend after a mixed start. He was even par through the front nine in the final round, birdied the 12th, dropped a shot at the 13th, and finished strongly with back-to-back birdies to close. He heads next to the American Express, which also marks Scottie Scheffler’s season debut.

Indo-Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju delivered one of the standout rounds of the day, firing a 5-under 65 to climb into T-13. The 23-year-old went 3-under through his opening five holes, added three more birdies on the back nine, and made just one bogey — at the ninth — in a confident performance that underlined his upward trajectory since earning his PGA TOUR card.

Indo-British Aaron Rai signed off with a steady 68 to finish T-50, continuing to fine-tune his game ahead of the West Coast Swing.

At the top, Chris Gotterup opened the new PGA TOUR season with a statement win, closing with a 6-under 64 to finish at 16-under 264 and claim a two-shot victory. He surged past 54-hole leader Davis Riley on the back nine and sealed the title with birdies at the 12th, 13th and 17th.

The win marks Gotterup’s third straight season with a victory and lifts him to World No. 17, a dramatic rise after starting last year’s Sony Open week ranked No. 195.

Photo – Golf Monthly